A frightful or delightful Halloween?

 

October 2024 will finish as a warmer and drier than average month in the nation’s capital for a second consecutive year. DC residents will also experience one of the warmest Halloweens in recent memory, if not all-time, with highs around 80°.

The nation’s capital will see at least five days of 80-degree warmth this month, thanks to highs near 80° both today and tomorrow. That’s above the average of between three and four such days (for the 30-year period of 1994 – 2023). But, it’s less than the eight such days that occurred in both 2021 and 2023.

Despite the warm days, this month has also featured some cooler than average weather. Although lows downtown fell to 44° on the coolest mornings of October 17 and October 28, Dulles Airport had a low of 31° on October 28 giving it its first October temperature at or below freezing since October 30, 2022 (31°). Meanwhile, BWI Airport had a low of 32° on October 17 and 31° on October 28. Prior to this month, BWI had not seen October temperatures at or below freezing since 2018. Meanwhile, it has not been at or below freezing at National Airport during the month of October since 1992.

Measurable rainfall hasn’t occurred in the nation’s capital since October 2. Consequently, this month will finish with only 1.48” of rain. That’s well below DC’s monthly average of 3.66”, making this the fourth consecutive drier than average October. The warm and dry weather on Halloween should please trick-or-treaters.

Whether or not DC’s October 31 record high of 85° is approached (1950), this will be one of DC’s warmest Halloween’s on record. DC’s warmest Halloween over the last 30 years occurred in 2019 with a high of 77°. By comparison, last Halloween was chilly with a high/low of only 55°/41°. DC’s average high/low in the nation’s capital on October 31 is 64°/46°.